PORSCHE 911 (WATER-COOLED): 1997 to Today

996: 1997 - TO DATE

2-door, 2+2 Coupe, Cabriolet & Targa. Rear-mounted 6-cylinder water cooled 'boxer' engine. A water-cooled engine in a 911! Whatever next? Once the purists had calmed down beneath the 996's slightly 'frumpy' looks it is one of the greatest cars of all time. Carrera 2 is all you ever actually need, but C4 and C4S are unstoppable. 416bhp four-wheel driver Turbo is a contender for the greatest supercar ever built, while 462bhp GT" is too much for most on the road. Normally aspirated GT3 is the spirit of the RS but weighs heavier than a standard Carrera. Targa features opening rear glass hatch, while Cabriolet is at home in Miami .

996 - 1997 to 1998: 1998 Model Year

Significant developments: VarioCam/VarioRam engines water-cooled for first time. 6-speed manual transmission fitted across range, 5-speed for Tiiptronic S. Carrera 4 introduces PSM.

996 - 1998 to 1999: 1999 Model Year - stripped out, 360bhp GT3 introduced. GT1-based engine helps create most focused 996 to date. Additional cooling radiator, gearbox and engine account for extra weight over standard Carrera 2. Breaks Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record for a production car.

996 - 1999 to 2000: 2000 Model Year - twin turbo, 416bhp four-wheel drive turbo model introduced with VarioCam Plus.

996 - 2000 to 2001: 2001 Model Year - GT2 introduced, the most powerful Porsche to date with 462bhp, rear-wheel drive, ceramic disc brakes and no PSM! Breaks lap record for road legal cars at the Nurburgring's infamous Nordschleife, previously held by GT3.

New 996 - 2001 to date: 2002 Model Year - Significant developments: Second generation 996. Engine capacity grows to 3.6 litres, power increase to 316bhp. Turbo's trip computer standard across the range as are Turbo headlights. Cup holders fitted for the first time. Carrera 4S, Targa and GT3 model s introduced. Track for 18" wheels: 1465mm/1480mm.